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The Pierce College library is a community of learners that fosters social justice and the disruption of systemic inequities at the intersection of information and education. The library provides equitable access to a diversity of resources and learning opportunities to support the transformation of self and society.
Values
In support of its mission, the Pierce College Library created a set of collective values to serve as a set of expectations for ourselves and our users as we work and learn together. These values—Access, Adaptability, Authenticity, Collaborative Learning, and Community-Focus—stem from the library's foundational commitment to equity and inclusion, which guide the library's daily work.
Access
Definition:
Providing equitable opportunities for college community members to engage with the library.
This looks like...
- Building our collection, space, and personnel to equitably engage with college community members of diverse abilities, backgrounds, and levels of experience.
- Providing resources in a variety of formats to align with the needs of the college community.
- Ensuring that personalized assistance is available in a variety of modalities.
- Writing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures with transparency.
Adaptability
Definition:
Evaluating and updating collections, policies, and services for relevance and ease of use.
This looks like...
- Responding to current events and helping our college community put them into context.
- Reviewing policies and procedures with a focus on equity and relevance.
- Developing services and acquiring resources to meet the needs of our evolving community.
- Creating actionable assessments and responding intentionally to their results.
- Reflecting on and engaging with our personal and organizational biases to create a more inclusive and equitable college community.
Authenticity
Definition:
Celebrating and respecting the unique identities and perspectives of college community members.
This looks like...
- Recognizing the legacy of racism, exclusion, and assimilation in libraries, and creating a library environment that actively promotes antiracism, inclusion, and the celebration of diversity.
- Empowering college community members to engage with the library in ways that are nourishing, challenging, and reflective of their interests and experiences.
- Setting clear expectations of behavior and creating an environment that welcomes every individual.
- Providing a variety of opportunities for feedback on library environment and services to ensure that all voices are heard and valued.
- Emphasizing transparency and open communication in response to challenges.
Collaborative Learning
Definition:
Recognizing all members of the college community as learners and contributors.
This looks like...
- Utilizing a combination of faculty librarians and library staff to create a "library as classroom" environment focused on information literacy.
- Cooperatively building relevant and dynamic instructional materials across departments and academic subjects.
- Offering a variety of spaces, formats, and opportunities to engage with library resources.
- Developing instructional environments in which all members of the college community are able to engage as learners and instructors.
- Fostering interdepartmental relationships to gain insight into community needs and create responsive services.
Community-Focus
Definition:
Cultivating a library culture of compassion, community action, and shared stewardship.
This looks like...
- Prioritizing collective decision-making.
- Supporting the college community in their efforts to provide people-centered service.
- Developing a diverse and relevant library collection that speaks to and is informed by the lived experiences of the college community.
Revision Date: 4-27-22